North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-kim-say-boosting-china-north-korea-ties-good-for-regional-peace-report-229051"> President Xi Jinping</a> reached a consensus on "important issues," and agreed to build on their countries' friendly relations "whatever the international situation," North Korean state media reported.

Xi left the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Friday after a two-day visit, the first by a Chinese leader in 14 years. State-run news agency KCNA issued a report on Saturday of the results of the visit.

China is North Korea's only major ally and Xi's visit was aimed at bolstering the isolated country against pressure from United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes and stalled denuclearisation talks with the United States.

The visit comes a week before Xi and US President Donald Trump are due to meet at a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, amid a trade dispute that has rattled global financial markets.

KCNA reported that during a luncheon on the final day of Xi's visit the leaders discussed plans to strengthen collaboration, as well as their countries' "major internal and external policies", while exchanging views on domestic and international issues of mutual concern.

An editorial in the official China Daily on Saturday warned that Xi's short visit to Pyongyang would not solve all the region's problems, but pledges to help develop the North Korean economy were the right way forward.

"The world may hope that the Chinese leader has the magic touch that can turn stone to gold, but it is unrealistic to expect that Xi can solve all the peninsula issues with a two-day visit — even if Beijing has always been the most reliable and considerate partner to Pyongyang," it said.

"Yet Xi has touched the right stone by focusing on economic cooperation to help bring the DPRK in from the cold," it added.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China's President Xi Jinping reached a consensus on "important issues," and agreed to build on their countries' friendly relations "whatever the international situation," North Korean state media reported.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China's President Xi Jinping reached a consensus on "important issues," and agreed to build on their countries' friendly relations "whatever the international situation," North Korean state media reported. Xi left the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Friday after a two-day visit, the first by a Chinese leader in 14 years. State-run news agency KCNA issued a report on Saturday of the results of the visit. China is North Korea's only major ally and Xi's visit was aimed at bolstering the isolated country against pressure from United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes and stalled denuclearisation talks with the United States. The visit comes a week before Xi and US President Donald Trump are due to meet at a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, amid a trade dispute that has rattled global financial markets. KCNA reported that during a luncheon on the final day of Xi's visit the leaders discussed plans to strengthen collaboration, as well as their countries' "major internal and external policies", while exchanging views on domestic and international issues of mutual concern. An editorial in the official China Daily on Saturday warned that Xi's short visit to Pyongyang would not solve all the region's problems, but pledges to help develop the North Korean economy were the right way forward. "The world may hope that the Chinese leader has the magic touch that can turn stone to gold, but it is unrealistic to expect that Xi can solve all the peninsula issues with a two-day visit — even if Beijing has always been the most reliable and considerate partner to Pyongyang," it said. "Yet Xi has touched the right stone by focusing on economic cooperation to help bring the DPRK in from the cold," it added.

Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping agree to grow ties whatever external situation: Report

Donald Trump said that Iran would be wiped out if there is a war. He also said that he is not looking for war with Iran. What message American President is trying to send? Listen in.

Donald Trump: Not looking for war with Iran

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported.

Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/patrick-shanahan-withdraws-from-consideration-to-be-us-defence-secretary-228501">Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration</a> for the role this week, citing family concerns.

Trump also said he plans to nominate David Norquist, who currently serves as the Pentagon's comptroller, to be deputy defence secretary.

Esper, who is yet to be confirmed by the Senate, is the third man to lead the Pentagon in last six months.&nbsp;

He replaces Shanahan who was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump.&nbsp;

Unlike Shanahan, who had no military experience, 55-year-old Esper served in the 1991 Gulf War as part of the famous 101st Airborne Division of the US Army.

Esper had been a senior executive at the Raytheon defence firm for seven years when he was tapped by Trump to be Army Secretary in 2017.

Meanwhile, as acting Secretary&nbsp;Esper will make his international debut as he&nbsp;will travel to the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels later this week.

"The focus of his meetings will be reinforcing the US commitment to strengthening the NATO alliance, ensuring more equitable burden sharing, bolstering NATO readiness and addressing regional security issues," the statement said.

The meeting comes as NATO grapples with a dispute between alliance members the United States and Turkey over Ankara's decision to purchase a Russian air defence system.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported. Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration for the role this week, citing family concerns.

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported. Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration for the role this week, citing family concerns. Trump also said he plans to nominate David Norquist, who currently serves as the Pentagon's comptroller, to be deputy defence secretary. Esper, who is yet to be confirmed by the Senate, is the third man to lead the Pentagon in last six months. He replaces Shanahan who was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump. Unlike Shanahan, who had no military experience, 55-year-old Esper served in the 1991 Gulf War as part of the famous 101st Airborne Division of the US Army. Esper had been a senior executive at the Raytheon defence firm for seven years when he was tapped by Trump to be Army Secretary in 2017. Meanwhile, as acting Secretary Esper will make his international debut as he will travel to the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels later this week. "The focus of his meetings will be reinforcing the US commitment to strengthening the NATO alliance, ensuring more equitable burden sharing, bolstering NATO readiness and addressing regional security issues," the statement said. The meeting comes as NATO grapples with a dispute between alliance members the United States and Turkey over Ankara's decision to purchase a Russian air defence system. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump nominates Mark Esper as Secretary of Defence: White House

US President Donald Trump has ordered border agents to begin a mass roundup as early as Sunday of some 2,000 migrant families that have received deportation orders, US media reported Friday.

The news follows the president's announcement on Twitter Monday that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials would begin deporting "millions of illegal aliens," although he gave little detail.

The tweet sped up operations that were already underway, according to unnamed sources cited by the Washington Post, NBC and CNN.

The family roundup likely begins with pre-dawn raids in up to 10 cities including Houston, Chicago, New York and Miami.

Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, is hesitant about parts of the operation, CNN reported.

He has been urging ICE to mainly focus on some 150 families that had attorneys but have dropped out of the legal process and vanished, the Post reported.

The US is facing a surge in migrants from several Central American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.

The numbers have hampered US authorities' abilities to temporarily shelter and process arrivals.

Trump has called it "an invasion," and has made the fight against illegal migration a central plank of his administration.

An estimated 10.5 million unauthorised immigrants are living in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.

Migrant apprehensions have soared to 144,000, including 57,000 minors, in May -- the highest number in 13 years.

Congress has authorised ICE to detain 40,000 migrants, and many others are sent to other overcrowded facilities across the nation.

In 2017 the Trump administration imposed a "zero tolerance" regime on the US border with Mexico, which resulted in hundreds of families being split up.

US President Donald Trump has ordered border agents to begin a mass roundup as early as Sunday of some 2,000 migrant families that have received deportation orders, US media reported Friday.

US President Donald Trump has ordered border agents to begin a mass roundup as early as Sunday of some 2,000 migrant families that have received deportation orders, US media reported Friday. The news follows the president's announcement on Twitter Monday that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials would begin deporting "millions of illegal aliens," although he gave little detail. The tweet sped up operations that were already underway, according to unnamed sources cited by the Washington Post, NBC and CNN. The family roundup likely begins with pre-dawn raids in up to 10 cities including Houston, Chicago, New York and Miami. Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, is hesitant about parts of the operation, CNN reported. He has been urging ICE to mainly focus on some 150 families that had attorneys but have dropped out of the legal process and vanished, the Post reported. The US is facing a surge in migrants from several Central American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. The numbers have hampered US authorities' abilities to temporarily shelter and process arrivals. Trump has called it "an invasion," and has made the fight against illegal migration a central plank of his administration. An estimated 10.5 million unauthorised immigrants are living in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Migrant apprehensions have soared to 144,000, including 57,000 minors, in May -- the highest number in 13 years. Congress has authorised ICE to detain 40,000 migrants, and many others are sent to other overcrowded facilities across the nation. In 2017 the Trump administration imposed a "zero tolerance" regime on the US border with Mexico, which resulted in hundreds of families being split up.

Trump orders immigration sweep targeting 2,000 families: Report

Last-minute Iran strike reversal showcases Trump's confusion on war

Pyongyang's relationship with Beijing is "invincible" because the countries both endured Japanese rule, North Korea said Saturday, the day after the Chinese President's highly symbolic visit ended.

The commentary, an official North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun, comes shortly before the G20 summit in Japan where US President Donald Trump will meet with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-xi-jinping-and-trade-a-high-stakes-game-of-chicken-216697">China's Xi Jinping</a>.

With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence with nuclear-armed Pyongyang, while increasingly looking to Japan, a key US ally in the region, to serve as a hedge against growing American protectionism.

Relations between Tokyo, Beijing, and both Koreas are still heavily affected by Japan's expansionism in the first half of the 20th century, with Pyongyang's state media criticizing Japan on a near-daily basis.

Saturday's Rodong Sinmun dedicated five pages to the second day of Xi's visit to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seoul-to-seek-meetings-with-pyongyang-to-revive-dialogue-with-washington-202799">Pyongyang</a>, and carried a separate editorial stating how the "sacred period of the anti-Japanese struggle has become the foundation of the DPRK-China friendship".

"DPRK-China relationship is an invincible friendship that firmly combines military camaraderie and trust," it stated, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name.

Xi, in a rare opinion piece penned for the newspaper earlier this week, also said citizens of the countries jointly opposed a "foreign invasion" and supported each other in the pursuit of socialism.

Like North Korea, Beijing's Communist authorities also regularly denounce Tokyo over historical issues.

Xi is the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years after relations deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear programs and Beijing's subsequent backing of UN sanctions.

But when Kim embarked on a flurry of diplomacy last year, Xi as the leader of North Korea's main trading partner and key aid provider was the first head of state he met.

As Kim expands his diplomatic circle, Japan finds itself battling to remain involved in North Korean discussions.

Tokyo, one of the most hawkish of the major powers on the isolated North, has received some of Pyongyang's harshest rhetoric as well as missiles launched over its territory.&nbsp;

The dovish South Korean President Moon Jae-in who brokered nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang has also stressed the independence struggle against Japan is at the heart of both Koreas' national identity.

Seoul and Pyongyang's whirlwind of diplomacy has died down since a second Trump-Kim summit in February ended without a deal, and analysts say North Korea now may seek a new mediator for its deadlocked negotiations with Washington.

North Korea's official news agency KCNA also wrote Kim and Xi had reached an agreement on "important issues" in their five summits over the past year.

Pyongyang's relationship with Beijing is "invincible" because the countries both endured Japanese rule, North Korea said Saturday, the day after the Chinese President's highly symbolic visit ended.

Pyongyang's relationship with Beijing is "invincible" because the countries both endured Japanese rule, North Korea said Saturday, the day after the Chinese President's highly symbolic visit ended. The commentary, an official North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun, comes shortly before the G20 summit in Japan where US President Donald Trump will meet with China's Xi Jinping. With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence with nuclear-armed Pyongyang, while increasingly looking to Japan, a key US ally in the region, to serve as a hedge against growing American protectionism. Relations between Tokyo, Beijing, and both Koreas are still heavily affected by Japan's expansionism in the first half of the 20th century, with Pyongyang's state media criticizing Japan on a near-daily basis. Saturday's Rodong Sinmun dedicated five pages to the second day of Xi's visit to Pyongyang, and carried a separate editorial stating how the "sacred period of the anti-Japanese struggle has become the foundation of the DPRK-China friendship". "DPRK-China relationship is an invincible friendship that firmly combines military camaraderie and trust," it stated, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name. Xi, in a rare opinion piece penned for the newspaper earlier this week, also said citizens of the countries jointly opposed a "foreign invasion" and supported each other in the pursuit of socialism. Like North Korea, Beijing's Communist authorities also regularly denounce Tokyo over historical issues. Xi is the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years after relations deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear programs and Beijing's subsequent backing of UN sanctions. But when Kim embarked on a flurry of diplomacy last year, Xi as the leader of North Korea's main trading partner and key aid provider was the first head of state he met. As Kim expands his diplomatic circle, Japan finds itself battling to remain involved in North Korean discussions. Tokyo, one of the most hawkish of the major powers on the isolated North, has received some of Pyongyang's harshest rhetoric as well as missiles launched over its territory. The dovish South Korean President Moon Jae-in who brokered nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang has also stressed the independence struggle against Japan is at the heart of both Koreas' national identity. Seoul and Pyongyang's whirlwind of diplomacy has died down since a second Trump-Kim summit in February ended without a deal, and analysts say North Korea now may seek a new mediator for its deadlocked negotiations with Washington. North Korea's official news agency KCNA also wrote Kim and Xi had reached an agreement on "important issues" in their five summits over the past year.

North Korea reminds China of colonial history to strengthen ties

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-hopes-canada-understands-consequences-of-siding-with-us-223210">Huawei Technologies Co</a> Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing.

The lawsuit is the latest salvo in a battle between the US government and Huawei. Washington says the Chinese company's telecommunications gear could be used by Beijing to spy. Huawei denies that this is the case.

In the lawsuit, Huawei said that it shipped telecommunications equipment from China, including a computer server and Ethernet switch, to a testing laboratory in California.

&nbsp;After the testing was done, the equipment was shipped back to China. No application for a license was made because none was needed, the lawsuit claims.

But the equipment was seized in Alaska by the US government, and no decision has been made about whether a license is required to ship it, the filing said.

"The equipment, to the best of HT USA's knowledge, remains in bureaucratic limbo in an Alaskan warehouse," Huawei said in its lawsuit.

The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Huawei contends that the equipment did not require a license because it did not fall into a controlled category and because it was made outside the United States and was being returned to the same country from which it came.

Huawei asked for the equipment to be either released for shipment or for the Commerce Department to decide that it was shipped illegally.

In May, the Trump administration added Huawei to the entity list, barring it from buying needed US parts and components without US government approval. US President Donald Trump has said the United States could resolve complaints about Huawei as part of a trade deal.

Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the company's founder, has been detained in Canada since December on a US warrant. She is fighting extradition on charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran.

Shortly after her detention, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians citizens, charging them with espionage.

Huawei Technologies Co Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing.

Huawei Technologies Co Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing. The lawsuit is the latest salvo in a battle between the US government and Huawei. Washington says the Chinese company's telecommunications gear could be used by Beijing to spy. Huawei denies that this is the case. In the lawsuit, Huawei said that it shipped telecommunications equipment from China, including a computer server and Ethernet switch, to a testing laboratory in California. After the testing was done, the equipment was shipped back to China. No application for a license was made because none was needed, the lawsuit claims. But the equipment was seized in Alaska by the US government, and no decision has been made about whether a license is required to ship it, the filing said. "The equipment, to the best of HT USA's knowledge, remains in bureaucratic limbo in an Alaskan warehouse," Huawei said in its lawsuit. The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Huawei contends that the equipment did not require a license because it did not fall into a controlled category and because it was made outside the United States and was being returned to the same country from which it came. Huawei asked for the equipment to be either released for shipment or for the Commerce Department to decide that it was shipped illegally. In May, the Trump administration added Huawei to the entity list, barring it from buying needed US parts and components without US government approval. US President Donald Trump has said the United States could resolve complaints about Huawei as part of a trade deal. Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the company's founder, has been detained in Canada since December on a US warrant. She is fighting extradition on charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Shortly after her detention, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians citizens, charging them with espionage.

Huawei files lawsuit against United States Commerce Department over seized equipment

A lady named Jean Carroll said that Trump assaulted her in a dressing room. Other side US President has rejected the allegations. Trump calls these sexual assault charges a 'Fake news'.

Donald Trump Caught Up In 1990s Sexual Assault Allegation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will seek to further mend fences when he meets Donald Trump in Washington this week, a year after the US&nbsp;president stormed out of a G7 meeting calling Trudeau "very dishonest and weak."

Trudeau had angered Trump at the time with his response to a question about the tariffs Washington slapped on Canadian steel and aluminium. "Canadians are polite and reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around," he said.

For Trudeau, Thursday's meeting with Trump still has risks about four months before a Canadian national election. Trump is deeply unpopular in Canada, especially among supporters of Trudeau's Liberal Party, and notoriously unpredictable.

But maintaining a good rapport with the United States, and keeping one of the world's largest trade partnerships on an even keel, is considered the top job for any Canadian prime minister. Trudeau may find he needs all the diplomatic tact he can muster.

"For Canadians, there is no bigger issue than the United States-Canada relationship," said Frank Graves, a pollster at Ekos Research. "People are relieved and kind of happy that the problems with Trump were an abnormality and not a shift in the relationship."

Since last year's G7 meeting hosted by Canada, it has reached a deal with the United States and Mexico on trade, Trump has lifted the tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminium and steel, and US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence touted Trudeau's tough negotiating skills during a visit to Ottawa last month.

"It's important to show Canadians we can have a good relationship with an administration that has very little in common with us ideologically or politically," a Canadian government source said.

Trudeau, 47, has been trailing in the polls, largely because of the fallout from a scandal within the Liberal Party, and he risks becoming the first prime minister to lose power after a single majority mandate since the 1930s in the election set for October.

He has clawed back some support recently, but any big setback in US-Canada relations at the meeting with Trump, 73, could undermine his fight for re-election.

"The risk for Trudeau is that you never know what Trump will do," said Darrell Bricker at Ipsos polling.

"Or Trudeau could be seen as not being hard enough on Trump. The hardest thing for Trudeau will be to walk between the raindrops and find the right balance," Bricker said.

After his recent threat to impose tariffs on Mexico, Trump's focus has shifted from North American trade to restarting trade talks with China, a burgeoning crisis with Iran, and gearing up for his own re-election campaign.

Canada has been caught in the middle of the US-China trade dispute, and Trudeau will be seeking Trump's support to press for the release of two Canadian citizens arrested by China and charged with espionage, officials in Ottawa said.

The two were first detained after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the world's largest telecoms network gear maker, on a U.S. warrant in December.

After a hard-fought negotiation, Canada, Mexico and the United States signed a replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in November 2018. Forcing Mexico and Canada to scrap NAFTA was one of Trump's signature pledges during his 2016 election campaign, but he could now use a hand getting the new trade deal ratified.

The Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is pressing for improved enforcement mechanisms for labour and environmental standards before she signs on to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement.

Trudeau is going to meet with Pelosi and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell after he sees Trump to lobby for a rapid USMCA ratification, two congressional aides and sources in Ottawa said.

"We will never be totally safe on trade while Trump is in power, so we need to build up momentum given the recent improvements in bilateral ties," a second Canadian government source said of the Washington visit.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will seek to further mend fences when he meets Donald Trump in Washington this week, a year after the US president stormed out of a G7 meeting calling Trudeau "very dishonest and weak.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will seek to further mend fences when he meets Donald Trump in Washington this week, a year after the US president stormed out of a G7 meeting calling Trudeau "very dishonest and weak." Trudeau had angered Trump at the time with his response to a question about the tariffs Washington slapped on Canadian steel and aluminium. "Canadians are polite and reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around," he said. For Trudeau, Thursday's meeting with Trump still has risks about four months before a Canadian national election. Trump is deeply unpopular in Canada, especially among supporters of Trudeau's Liberal Party, and notoriously unpredictable. But maintaining a good rapport with the United States, and keeping one of the world's largest trade partnerships on an even keel, is considered the top job for any Canadian prime minister. Trudeau may find he needs all the diplomatic tact he can muster. "For Canadians, there is no bigger issue than the United States-Canada relationship," said Frank Graves, a pollster at Ekos Research. "People are relieved and kind of happy that the problems with Trump were an abnormality and not a shift in the relationship." Since last year's G7 meeting hosted by Canada, it has reached a deal with the United States and Mexico on trade, Trump has lifted the tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminium and steel, and US Vice President Mike Pence touted Trudeau's tough negotiating skills during a visit to Ottawa last month. "It's important to show Canadians we can have a good relationship with an administration that has very little in common with us ideologically or politically," a Canadian government source said. Trudeau, 47, has been trailing in the polls, largely because of the fallout from a scandal within the Liberal Party, and he risks becoming the first prime minister to lose power after a single majority mandate since the 1930s in the election set for October. He has clawed back some support recently, but any big setback in US-Canada relations at the meeting with Trump, 73, could undermine his fight for re-election. "The risk for Trudeau is that you never know what Trump will do," said Darrell Bricker at Ipsos polling. "Or Trudeau could be seen as not being hard enough on Trump. The hardest thing for Trudeau will be to walk between the raindrops and find the right balance," Bricker said. After his recent threat to impose tariffs on Mexico, Trump's focus has shifted from North American trade to restarting trade talks with China, a burgeoning crisis with Iran, and gearing up for his own re-election campaign. Canada has been caught in the middle of the US-China trade dispute, and Trudeau will be seeking Trump's support to press for the release of two Canadian citizens arrested by China and charged with espionage, officials in Ottawa said. The two were first detained after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the world's largest telecoms network gear maker, on a U.S. warrant in December. After a hard-fought negotiation, Canada, Mexico and the United States signed a replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in November 2018. Forcing Mexico and Canada to scrap NAFTA was one of Trump's signature pledges during his 2016 election campaign, but he could now use a hand getting the new trade deal ratified. The Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is pressing for improved enforcement mechanisms for labour and environmental standards before she signs on to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement. Trudeau is going to meet with Pelosi and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell after he sees Trump to lobby for a rapid USMCA ratification, two congressional aides and sources in Ottawa said. "We will never be totally safe on trade while Trump is in power, so we need to build up momentum given the recent improvements in bilateral ties," a second Canadian government source said of the Washington visit.

Canada's Trudeau mending fences with Trump as election fight looms

The US Senate on Thursday voted to block the sale of billions of dollars in military sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to sidestep Congress' review of such deals by declaring an emergency over Iran.

Trump has promised to veto the Senate action in order to proceed with the deals, worth some $8.1 billion. Senators would need 67 votes to override his veto, which looked unlikely after Thursday's votes. The first and second resolutions of disapproval passed 53-45 and a third vote covering the remaining 20 resolutions was 51-45.

Backers of the resolutions, led by Democrat Bob Menendez and Republican Lindsey Graham, said they sent a bipartisan message to Saudi Arabia that Washington is not happy about human rights abuses, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Many also expressed deep concern with Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the war in Yemen, where the two countries are battling Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The United Nations has described the conflict in Yemen, which has killed tens of thousands of people including thousands of civilians, as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Tensions with Iran&nbsp;

Hours before the vote, Iran shot down a US military drone, escalating fears of wider military conflict. Washington said the incident was an "unprovoked attack" in international air space while Tehran said the drone was over its territory. Trump later said the attack apparently was a mistake by an Iranian "general or somebody."

Opposing the resolutions, the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, cited tensions with Tehran. "The timing could not be worse for the Senate to send the wrong signal," he said.

Graham, normally a close Trump ally, underscored the unusual divide between the White House and some Republicans over Saudi Arabia in an emphatic Senate speech before the votes.

"You cannot have a strategic relationship with the United States and behave in a fashion that shows no respect for human dignity, no respect for international norms," Graham said.

Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the disapproval resolutions also reflected Congress' desire to preserve its powers to declare war and review major foreign weapons sales. Trump also used an emergency declaration strategy to circumvent Congress and try to get funding for a wall on the Mexican border.

Menendez scoffed at the administration's contention that the threat from Iran was an emergency that warranted so many weapons sales to third countries. "This is a power grab, pure and simple, with lasting implications for the role of Congress in the sale of arms around the world," Menendez said.

The resolutions are expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives before reaching Trump's desk.

More legislation expected&nbsp;

Despite Trump's veto threat, members of Congress said they expect some Saudi-related legislation would come into effect this year.

Lawmakers are working on a separate measure "to hold Saudi Arabia accountable" for human rights abuses and Khashoggi's murder.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee also is due to consider as soon as next week legislation that would take away the ability of Trump, or any president, to use emergency authority to sell arms to any country besides NATO members and certain other key partners without congressional review.

Among military equipment in the deals are Raytheon precision-guided munitions, support for Boeing Co F-15 aircraft and Javelin anti-tank missiles, which are made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Other products involved are General Electric engines for use in F-16 fighter jets operated by the UAE, and a fuzing system for precision-guided bombs from the US unit of French firm Thales SA.

Other companies with products or services in the deals are Britain’s BAE Systems Plc [BAES.L] and Europe’s Airbus [AIR.PA].

In London on Thursday an English court ruled that Britain had broken the law by allowing arms sales to Saudi Arabia that might have been deployed in the war in Yemen, after activists said there was evidence the weapons had been used in violation of human rights statutes.

The US Senate on Thursday voted to block the sale of billions of dollars in military sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to sidestep Congress' review of such deals by declaring an emergency over Iran.

The US Senate on Thursday voted to block the sale of billions of dollars in military sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to sidestep Congress' review of such deals by declaring an emergency over Iran. Trump has promised to veto the Senate action in order to proceed with the deals, worth some $8.1 billion. Senators would need 67 votes to override his veto, which looked unlikely after Thursday's votes. The first and second resolutions of disapproval passed 53-45 and a third vote covering the remaining 20 resolutions was 51-45. Backers of the resolutions, led by Democrat Bob Menendez and Republican Lindsey Graham, said they sent a bipartisan message to Saudi Arabia that Washington is not happy about human rights abuses, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. Many also expressed deep concern with Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the war in Yemen, where the two countries are battling Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The United Nations has described the conflict in Yemen, which has killed tens of thousands of people including thousands of civilians, as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Tensions with Iran Hours before the vote, Iran shot down a US military drone, escalating fears of wider military conflict. Washington said the incident was an "unprovoked attack" in international air space while Tehran said the drone was over its territory. Trump later said the attack apparently was a mistake by an Iranian "general or somebody." Opposing the resolutions, the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, cited tensions with Tehran. "The timing could not be worse for the Senate to send the wrong signal," he said. Graham, normally a close Trump ally, underscored the unusual divide between the White House and some Republicans over Saudi Arabia in an emphatic Senate speech before the votes. "You cannot have a strategic relationship with the United States and behave in a fashion that shows no respect for human dignity, no respect for international norms," Graham said. Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the disapproval resolutions also reflected Congress' desire to preserve its powers to declare war and review major foreign weapons sales. Trump also used an emergency declaration strategy to circumvent Congress and try to get funding for a wall on the Mexican border. Menendez scoffed at the administration's contention that the threat from Iran was an emergency that warranted so many weapons sales to third countries. "This is a power grab, pure and simple, with lasting implications for the role of Congress in the sale of arms around the world," Menendez said. The resolutions are expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives before reaching Trump's desk. More legislation expected Despite Trump's veto threat, members of Congress said they expect some Saudi-related legislation would come into effect this year. Lawmakers are working on a separate measure "to hold Saudi Arabia accountable" for human rights abuses and Khashoggi's murder. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee also is due to consider as soon as next week legislation that would take away the ability of Trump, or any president, to use emergency authority to sell arms to any country besides NATO members and certain other key partners without congressional review. Among military equipment in the deals are Raytheon precision-guided munitions, support for Boeing Co F-15 aircraft and Javelin anti-tank missiles, which are made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Corp. Other products involved are General Electric engines for use in F-16 fighter jets operated by the UAE, and a fuzing system for precision-guided bombs from the US unit of French firm Thales SA. Other companies with products or services in the deals are Britain’s BAE Systems Plc [BAES.L] and Europe’s Airbus [AIR.PA]. In London on Thursday an English court ruled that Britain had broken the law by allowing arms sales to Saudi Arabia that might have been deployed in the war in Yemen, after activists said there was evidence the weapons had been used in violation of human rights statutes.

US Senate rejects Saudi arms sales in rebuke to Trump

United States President Donald Trump reportedly approved <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hard-to-believe-iranian-shooting-down-of-us-drone-was-intentional-229050">military strikes</a> on "a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries" in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone, but pulled back on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions, reported New York Times citing senior administration officials, but the plan was suddenly aborted in its early stages.&nbsp;

Military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike as late as 7pm on Thursday, after intense discussions and debate at the White House among the president’s top national security officials and congressional leaders, the NYT report said quoting multiple senior administration officials involved in or briefed on the deliberations.

The report quoting officials said the president had initially approved attacks on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-made-a-very-big-mistake-says-trump-after-revolutionary-guard-shoots-down-us-drone-229027">handful of Iranian targets</a>, like radar and missile batteries.

But the action was then abruptly called off for the evening, putting a halt to what would have been the president’s third military action against targets in the Middle East. Trump had struck twice at targets in Syria, in 2017 and 2018.

White House and Pentagon officials declined to comment, the Times said, and it was unclear whether there were plans for such strikes in the future.&nbsp;

The retaliation plan was intended as a response to the shooting down of the unmanned, $130 million surveillance drone, which was struck Thursday morning by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, according to a senior administration official who was briefed on the military planning and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential plans.

The strike was set to take place just before dawn Friday in Iran to minimize risk to the Iranian military or to civilians.

But military officials received word a short time later that the strike was off, at least temporarily.

United States President Donald Trump reportedly approved military strikes on "a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries" in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone, but pulled back on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions, reported New York Times citing senior administration officials, but the plan was suddenly aborted in its early stages.

United States President Donald Trump reportedly approved military strikes on "a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries" in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone, but pulled back on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions, reported New York Times citing senior administration officials, but the plan was suddenly aborted in its early stages. Military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike as late as 7pm on Thursday, after intense discussions and debate at the White House among the president’s top national security officials and congressional leaders, the NYT report said quoting multiple senior administration officials involved in or briefed on the deliberations. The report quoting officials said the president had initially approved attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries. But the action was then abruptly called off for the evening, putting a halt to what would have been the president’s third military action against targets in the Middle East. Trump had struck twice at targets in Syria, in 2017 and 2018. White House and Pentagon officials declined to comment, the Times said, and it was unclear whether there were plans for such strikes in the future. The retaliation plan was intended as a response to the shooting down of the unmanned, $130 million surveillance drone, which was struck Thursday morning by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, according to a senior administration official who was briefed on the military planning and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential plans. The strike was set to take place just before dawn Friday in Iran to minimize risk to the Iranian military or to civilians. But military officials received word a short time later that the strike was off, at least temporarily.

Trump approves, then cancels, Iran strikes after drone shot down: Report

Tensions Escalate In The Gulf As Iran Shoots Down U.S. Drone. Here's What Happened?

Gravitas: Iran shoots down U.S drone as tensions intensify in the gulf

The Trump administration has no plans to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-tells-india-it-is-considering-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-228844">cap H-1B work visas</a> for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday.

Reports suggested on Thursday&nbsp;that the United States had told India it was considering restricting the H-1B visa programmes for countries with the data storage requirement. The H-1B programme issues US&nbsp;visas to skilled foreign workers.

"The Trump Administration has no plans to place caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally," a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement in response to the Reuters article.

While an administration's "Buy American Hire American" executive order calls for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B programme, it was not targeted at a specific country, the spokeswoman said.

It is "completely separate from our ongoing discussions with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders," the spokeswoman added.

Earlier on Thursday, India said it was in talks with the United States on H-1B visas, but foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar told a news conference: "We have not heard anything officially from the US government" on capping such permits for Indians.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week for talks that will include areas of disagreement between the two countries over trade.

Two senior Indian officials told Reuters on Wednesday they had been briefed last week on a US plan to cap the number of H-1B visas given annually to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the total number issued.

There is no country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas the United States issues every year, and an estimated 70% of them go to Indians.

The Trump administration has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday.

The Trump administration has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday. Reports suggested on Thursday that the United States had told India it was considering restricting the H-1B visa programmes for countries with the data storage requirement. The H-1B programme issues US visas to skilled foreign workers. "The Trump Administration has no plans to place caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally," a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement in response to the Reuters article. While an administration's "Buy American Hire American" executive order calls for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B programme, it was not targeted at a specific country, the spokeswoman said. It is "completely separate from our ongoing discussions with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders," the spokeswoman added. Earlier on Thursday, India said it was in talks with the United States on H-1B visas, but foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar told a news conference: "We have not heard anything officially from the US government" on capping such permits for Indians. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week for talks that will include areas of disagreement between the two countries over trade. Two senior Indian officials told Reuters on Wednesday they had been briefed last week on a US plan to cap the number of H-1B visas given annually to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the total number issued. There is no country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas the United States issues every year, and an estimated 70% of them go to Indians.

US has no plans to cap H-1B work visa programme: State Department

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he refrained from launching a strike on Iran in a series of Tweets. Watch this video to know more.

Donald Trump: Refrained from attacking Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and underscored the Trump administration's strong commitment to work closely with India to advance the bilateral strategic partnership, a top official has said.

Pompeo, who will be visiting India from June 25-27, spoke with Jaishankar to congratulate the External Affairs Minister on his appointment, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

The congratulatory call from Pompeo comes nearly three weeks after Jaishankar was appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his External Affairs Minister.

"Pompeo underscored the strong US commitment to working closely with the new Indian Government to advance our strategic partnership," Ortagus said in a readout of the call, which took a long time ? possibly the longest in at least a decade.

"Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar also discussed shared US and Indian objectives in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific, US India security cooperation, and the US-India economic partnership," Ortagus said.

Pompeo's visit to India will be the first high-level engagement between the two countries since the general election.

Earlier, Pompeo said his upcoming visit to New Delhi will be focused on advancing America's "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy to advance the shared goal of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region, where China is flexing its muscles.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region.

China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea.

China has expanded through reclamation or built entirely new man-made islands atop coral reefs and has equipped many of them with military installations and airfields.

Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and underscored the Trump administration's strong commitment to work closely with India to advance the bilateral strategic partnership, a top official has said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and underscored the Trump administration's strong commitment to work closely with India to advance the bilateral strategic partnership, a top official has said. Pompeo, who will be visiting India from June 25-27, spoke with Jaishankar to congratulate the External Affairs Minister on his appointment, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said. The congratulatory call from Pompeo comes nearly three weeks after Jaishankar was appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his External Affairs Minister. "Pompeo underscored the strong US commitment to working closely with the new Indian Government to advance our strategic partnership," Ortagus said in a readout of the call, which took a long time ? possibly the longest in at least a decade. "Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar also discussed shared US and Indian objectives in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific, US India security cooperation, and the US-India economic partnership," Ortagus said. Pompeo's visit to India will be the first high-level engagement between the two countries since the general election. Earlier, Pompeo said his upcoming visit to New Delhi will be focused on advancing America's "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy to advance the shared goal of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region, where China is flexing its muscles. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region. China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea. China has expanded through reclamation or built entirely new man-made islands atop coral reefs and has equipped many of them with military installations and airfields. Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."

Ahead of India visit, Pompeo makes congratulatory call to Jaishankar 

US President Donald Trump played down Iran's downing of a US military surveillance drone on Thursday, saying he suspected it was shot by mistake and "it would have made a big difference" to him had the remotely controlled aircraft been piloted.

While the comments appeared to suggest Trump was not eager to escalate the latest in a series of incidents with Iran, he also warned: "This country will not stand for it."

Tehran said the unarmed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-made-a-very-big-mistake-says-trump-after-revolutionary-guard-shoots-down-us-drone-229027">Global Hawk surveillance drone</a> was on a spy mission over its territory, but Washington said it was shot down over international airspace.

"I think probably Iran made a mistake. I would imagine it was a general or somebody that made a mistake in shooting that drone down," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"We had nobody in the drone. It would have made a big difference, let me tell you, it would have made a big, big difference" if the aircraft had been piloted, Trump said as he met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office.

"It's hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth," he added, saying it could have been carried out by someone who was acting "loose and stupid," and minimizing the incident as "a new wrinkle ... a new fly in the ointment."

The United States, which called the event an "unprovoked attack" in international airspace, is using economic sanctions to pressure Iran to contain its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to limit its role in regional wars.

It was the latest in an escalating series of incidents in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-borders-represent-our-red-line-revolutionary-guard-head-hossein-salami-228935">Gulf region</a>, a critical artery for global oil supplies, since mid-May, including explosive strikes on six oil tankers.

It was unclear how the United States might respond and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, said Washington had no appetite for war with Iran and should "do everything in our power to de-escalate."

After a White House briefing for lawmakers, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, told reporters he was worried Trump "may bumble into a war" and said he and his fellow Democrats believed congressional approval was needed to fund any conflict with Iran.

But Trump's fellow Republican, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, told reporters: "The administration is engaged in what I called measured responses."

Iran has denied involvement in the tanker attacks, but global jitters about a new Middle East conflagration disrupting oil exports have triggered a jump in crude prices.

Saudi Arabia, Washington's main Gulf ally, said Iran had created a grave situation with its "aggressive behaviour" and the kingdom was consulting other Gulf Arab states on next steps.

Tensions with Iran flared with Trump's withdrawal last year from a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and have worsened as Washington imposed fresh sanctions to throttle Tehran's vital oil trade. Iran retaliated earlier this week with a threat to breach limits on its nuclear activities imposed by the deal.

The US sanctions have hammered Iran's economy, scuttling its oil exports and barring it from the dollar-dominated global finance system. That undoes the promise of trade rewards from the 2015 deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.

US President Donald Trump played down Iran's downing of a US military surveillance drone on Thursday, saying he suspected it was shot by mistake and "it would have made a big difference" to him had the remotely controlled aircraft been piloted.

US President Donald Trump played down Iran's downing of a US military surveillance drone on Thursday, saying he suspected it was shot by mistake and "it would have made a big difference" to him had the remotely controlled aircraft been piloted. While the comments appeared to suggest Trump was not eager to escalate the latest in a series of incidents with Iran, he also warned: "This country will not stand for it." Tehran said the unarmed Global Hawk surveillance drone was on a spy mission over its territory, but Washington said it was shot down over international airspace. "I think probably Iran made a mistake. I would imagine it was a general or somebody that made a mistake in shooting that drone down," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We had nobody in the drone. It would have made a big difference, let me tell you, it would have made a big, big difference" if the aircraft had been piloted, Trump said as he met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office. "It's hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth," he added, saying it could have been carried out by someone who was acting "loose and stupid," and minimizing the incident as "a new wrinkle ... a new fly in the ointment." The United States, which called the event an "unprovoked attack" in international airspace, is using economic sanctions to pressure Iran to contain its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to limit its role in regional wars. It was the latest in an escalating series of incidents in the Gulf region, a critical artery for global oil supplies, since mid-May, including explosive strikes on six oil tankers. It was unclear how the United States might respond and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, said Washington had no appetite for war with Iran and should "do everything in our power to de-escalate." After a White House briefing for lawmakers, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, told reporters he was worried Trump "may bumble into a war" and said he and his fellow Democrats believed congressional approval was needed to fund any conflict with Iran. But Trump's fellow Republican, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, told reporters: "The administration is engaged in what I called measured responses." Iran has denied involvement in the tanker attacks, but global jitters about a new Middle East conflagration disrupting oil exports have triggered a jump in crude prices. Saudi Arabia, Washington's main Gulf ally, said Iran had created a grave situation with its "aggressive behaviour" and the kingdom was consulting other Gulf Arab states on next steps. Tensions with Iran flared with Trump's withdrawal last year from a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and have worsened as Washington imposed fresh sanctions to throttle Tehran's vital oil trade. Iran retaliated earlier this week with a threat to breach limits on its nuclear activities imposed by the deal. The US sanctions have hammered Iran's economy, scuttling its oil exports and barring it from the dollar-dominated global finance system. That undoes the promise of trade rewards from the 2015 deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Trump says hard to believe Iranian shooting down of US drone was intentional

RQ-4 Global Hawk: How Iran's Revolutionary Guard shot down America's most 'sophisticated unmanned' drone

Reuters reported that Trump conveys message to Iran via Oman. Where some reports state that Trump called off attack at the last minute. Iran said that War will have international implications. Reuters Khamenei to decide on talks. Watch this video to know more.

Trump warns Iran of 'imminent attack'

The U.S. Senate on Thursday backed a resolution opposing President Donald Trump's plan to complete weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries, in a rare rebuke of the White House by some of his fellow Republicans in Congress.

U.S Senate rejects arms sale to Saudi Arabia, rebuking Trump

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products. &nbsp;

He is especially incensed by India’s 50 per cent import duty on Harley Davidson motorcycles, which have an infinitesimal market share in India. Yet for Trump, it is a symbol of how other countries “rip off America”, as he said in a recent television interview. Trump has used tariff threats to bully Mexico into sending 6,000 Mexican troops to stop refugees fleeing Central American countries like El Salvador and Honduras before they reach the US-Mexico border. &nbsp;

Trump has, meanwhile, held out a threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports to the US valued at $300 billion in addition to the tariffs already in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese exports. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28-29 to thrash out the issues in the escalating US-China trade war. &nbsp;

Where does India fit in? India-US trade is a fraction of China-US trade. China’s trade surplus with the US that sends Trump into near-delirium was $419.2 billion in 2018. India’s trade surplus with the US in 2018 was a relatively puny $24.2 billion. &nbsp;

“Tariffs are a beautiful thing,” Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box show on June 10, 2019. But so far, the tariffs Trump has imposed on China aren’t working. Latest data shows China’s trade surplus with the US trade climbed by $2.1 billion to $29.2 billion for the month of April 2019.

At the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to have a short bilateral meeting with Trump. Trade, technology and defence will dominate the conversation. Trump wants India to cut import duties on a swathe of goods, including medical stents whose suppliers have a strong lobby in the US. &nbsp;

Trump will apply additional pressure on Modi to stop India buying Russia’s S-400 anti-missile system. The US has already told NATO ally Turkey, which is also buying the S-400, that Washington will no longer support the advanced F-35 fighter jet programme in Turkey. &nbsp;

Modi though has several aces up his sleeve and must tackle Trump’s tactics with a few of his own. Strategically, the US needs India to counter China’s emergence as the world’s pre-eminent superpower over the next two decades. India is the only country with a large economy and military that can help Washington contain China in the Indo-Pacific. &nbsp;

As important as strategy is psychology. Trump is a megalomaniac. He relishes praise. But he also respects strong leaders. One of the reasons Trump constantly praises Xi Jinping whilst decrying China is the strongman image the Chinese leader projects. The last thing Modi should, therefore, do at the G20 summit in Osaka next week is fawn over Trump in the hope that his administration will soften its stand over trade tariffs and the S-400. Far better to adopt Xi’s playbook with Trump: be friendly, but firm. Xi hasn’t conceded an inch to Trump on trade or technology but has kept the dialogue going. By slapping tariffs last week on US exports covering 28 items, India has made a good beginning. &nbsp;

India’s consumer market is the world’s second largest. India also has the second highest percentage of Internet users (12 per cent) in the world, behind China (21 per cent) but ahead of the US (8 per cent). Washington does have legitimate complaints on India’s restrictive laws on e-commerce firms. These and other trade issues will need to be sorted out by the new team in the commerce and finance ministries.&nbsp;

As commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal is well suited to negotiate knotty trade disputes with the US. The MoS in the commerce ministry, Hardip Singh Puri, is another experienced negotiator, having spent several years as India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York. &nbsp;

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s stint as defence minister will prove useful while negotiating the difficult terrain over India’s commitment to buy the S-400. Advance payment has already been made to Russia and cancelling the contract is neither feasible nor desirable. India needs to maintain its links with Russian defence contractors to avoid over-dependence on American military hardware. &nbsp;

India’s trump card is the fact that both the US and China need it in their corner. Washington knows that a China-Russia axis can pose a threat to the Western alliance. With the European Union sclerotic and Britain enervated by Brexit, the US has few allies apart from India with both large economies and militaries. &nbsp;

China, for its part, needs to keep India onside as an antidote to the US bullying. The Wuhan spirit and Xi’s likely return trip to Modi’s constituency Varanasi in October this year is aimed at keeping India in good humour and as far out of Washington’s orbit of influence as possible. &nbsp;

Modi will this have to play his cards deftly in Osaka. It is likely to be another decade before India’s economic and military heft reaches a level that makes it part of an emerging Isosceles triangle with the US and China. Till then, stay flexible, but on core issues, resolute as Trump lumbers through the G20 summit in Japan next week.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-dealing-with-donald-trump-2762858">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products.

United States President Donald Trump is obsessed with trade tariffs. He misses no opportunity to upbraid China, India, Mexico and even the European Union (EU) on the high tariffs they impose on US products. He is especially incensed by India’s 50 per cent import duty on Harley Davidson motorcycles, which have an infinitesimal market share in India. Yet for Trump, it is a symbol of how other countries “rip off America”, as he said in a recent television interview. Trump has used tariff threats to bully Mexico into sending 6,000 Mexican troops to stop refugees fleeing Central American countries like El Salvador and Honduras before they reach the US-Mexico border. Trump has, meanwhile, held out a threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports to the US valued at $300 billion in addition to the tariffs already in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese exports. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28-29 to thrash out the issues in the escalating US-China trade war. Where does India fit in? India-US trade is a fraction of China-US trade. China’s trade surplus with the US that sends Trump into near-delirium was $419.2 billion in 2018. India’s trade surplus with the US in 2018 was a relatively puny $24.2 billion. “Tariffs are a beautiful thing,” Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box show on June 10, 2019. But so far, the tariffs Trump has imposed on China aren’t working. Latest data shows China’s trade surplus with the US trade climbed by $2.1 billion to $29.2 billion for the month of April 2019. At the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to have a short bilateral meeting with Trump. Trade, technology and defence will dominate the conversation. Trump wants India to cut import duties on a swathe of goods, including medical stents whose suppliers have a strong lobby in the US. Trump will apply additional pressure on Modi to stop India buying Russia’s S-400 anti-missile system. The US has already told NATO ally Turkey, which is also buying the S-400, that Washington will no longer support the advanced F-35 fighter jet programme in Turkey. Modi though has several aces up his sleeve and must tackle Trump’s tactics with a few of his own. Strategically, the US needs India to counter China’s emergence as the world’s pre-eminent superpower over the next two decades. India is the only country with a large economy and military that can help Washington contain China in the Indo-Pacific. As important as strategy is psychology. Trump is a megalomaniac. He relishes praise. But he also respects strong leaders. One of the reasons Trump constantly praises Xi Jinping whilst decrying China is the strongman image the Chinese leader projects. The last thing Modi should, therefore, do at the G20 summit in Osaka next week is fawn over Trump in the hope that his administration will soften its stand over trade tariffs and the S-400. Far better to adopt Xi’s playbook with Trump: be friendly, but firm. Xi hasn’t conceded an inch to Trump on trade or technology but has kept the dialogue going. By slapping tariffs last week on US exports covering 28 items, India has made a good beginning. India’s consumer market is the world’s second largest. India also has the second highest percentage of Internet users (12 per cent) in the world, behind China (21 per cent) but ahead of the US (8 per cent). Washington does have legitimate complaints on India’s restrictive laws on e-commerce firms. These and other trade issues will need to be sorted out by the new team in the commerce and finance ministries. As commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal is well suited to negotiate knotty trade disputes with the US. The MoS in the commerce ministry, Hardip Singh Puri, is another experienced negotiator, having spent several years as India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s stint as defence minister will prove useful while negotiating the difficult terrain over India’s commitment to buy the S-400. Advance payment has already been made to Russia and cancelling the contract is neither feasible nor desirable. India needs to maintain its links with Russian defence contractors to avoid over-dependence on American military hardware. India’s trump card is the fact that both the US and China need it in their corner. Washington knows that a China-Russia axis can pose a threat to the Western alliance. With the European Union sclerotic and Britain enervated by Brexit, the US has few allies apart from India with both large economies and militaries. China, for its part, needs to keep India onside as an antidote to the US bullying. The Wuhan spirit and Xi’s likely return trip to Modi’s constituency Varanasi in October this year is aimed at keeping India in good humour and as far out of Washington’s orbit of influence as possible. Modi will this have to play his cards deftly in Osaka. It is likely to be another decade before India’s economic and military heft reaches a level that makes it part of an emerging Isosceles triangle with the US and China. Till then, stay flexible, but on core issues, resolute as Trump lumbers through the G20 summit in Japan next week. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

PM Narendra Modi must play his cards deftly when he meets Donald Trump at G20 Summit

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flying-objects-damaged-japanese-tanker-during-attack-in-gulf-of-oman-kokuka-sangyo-co-president-227084">Gulf of Oman last week.</a>

Displaying the fragments of limpet mines that the US Navy said had been used to attack the Japanese-owned '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-stoke-security-and-oil-fears-226939">Kokuka Courageous' tanker</a>, near the UAE port of Fujairah today, Commander Sean Kido from the Naval Forces Central Command said that the devices bore a "striking resemblance" to the Iranian ones, The New York Post reported.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/limpet-mine-used-in-oil-tanker-attack-resembled-iranian-mines-us-navy-228762">The limpet mine</a> that was used in the attack is distinguishable and also strikingly bearing a resemblance to Iranian mines that have already been publicly displayed in Iranian military parades," Kido said.

The Commander also showed small fragments alleged to have been removed from the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker.

In addition, a magnet purportedly left by a team from Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) was also displayed during the media briefing.

The US military had previously released images it said showed the IRGC removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Kokuka Courageous, which was hit by explosions along with the Norwegian-owned Front Altair ship on June 13.

However, Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies, but the incidents have sparked fears of a broader confrontation in the Gulf region.

The company that owns the Kokuka Courageous has said the vessel was damaged by two "flying objects."

Kido said, "The damage at the blast hole is consistent with a limpet mine attack, it is not consistent with an external flying object striking the ship," adding that nail holes indicated how the mine was attached to the hull.

He also stated that the fingerprints from the hull would help in building a criminal case, apparently in reference to Iran.

The Commander added that Washington is working with regional partners on a "joint and combined investigation," but declined to name the countries involved.

The attack on the oil tankers came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Middle East and sent additional troops to the Arabian Gulf region.

On its part, Iran recently has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium and threatened to boost its enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels in an attempt to pressure Europe for new terms to the 2015 nuclear deal.

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week.

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week. Displaying the fragments of limpet mines that the US Navy said had been used to attack the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker, near the UAE port of Fujairah today, Commander Sean Kido from the Naval Forces Central Command said that the devices bore a "striking resemblance" to the Iranian ones, The New York Post reported. "The limpet mine that was used in the attack is distinguishable and also strikingly bearing a resemblance to Iranian mines that have already been publicly displayed in Iranian military parades," Kido said. The Commander also showed small fragments alleged to have been removed from the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker. In addition, a magnet purportedly left by a team from Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) was also displayed during the media briefing. The US military had previously released images it said showed the IRGC removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Kokuka Courageous, which was hit by explosions along with the Norwegian-owned Front Altair ship on June 13. However, Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies, but the incidents have sparked fears of a broader confrontation in the Gulf region. The company that owns the Kokuka Courageous has said the vessel was damaged by two "flying objects." Kido said, "The damage at the blast hole is consistent with a limpet mine attack, it is not consistent with an external flying object striking the ship," adding that nail holes indicated how the mine was attached to the hull. He also stated that the fingerprints from the hull would help in building a criminal case, apparently in reference to Iran. The Commander added that Washington is working with regional partners on a "joint and combined investigation," but declined to name the countries involved. The attack on the oil tankers came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Middle East and sent additional troops to the Arabian Gulf region. On its part, Iran recently has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium and threatened to boost its enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels in an attempt to pressure Europe for new terms to the 2015 nuclear deal.

United States army recovers finger prints from Japanese oil tanker attacked in Gulf of Oman

U.S. President Trump Launches Re-election Bid, His Theme Is To Keep America Great Four years ago, Trump's theme was 'Make America Great Again'. Now it is to 'Keep America Great'. Trump launches re-election bid, slams media and Mueller and boasts about his 'tough' stance on Russia. Here's a report

Gravitas: Trump launches re-election bid from Florida

Is The U.S. Trying To Arm-Twist India Against Huawei? U.S. sends letter to India's Ministry of External Affairs. The letter warns that punitive action will be taken on those supplying American equipment to Huawei. Is the U.S. forcing India to act against Huawei? And what should India do? Palki explains the development

Gravitas: US tries to arm-twist India over Huawei

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 20th, 2019

Jabbing at the press and poking the eye of the political establishment he ran against in 2016, US President Donald Trump officially kicked off his re-election campaign Tuesday with a grievance-filled Florida rally that focused more on settling scores than laying out his agenda for a second term.

Trump kicks off 2020 campaign at Orlando rally

U.S. Releases More Images Of Attacks On Oil Tankers, Piles The Pressure On Iran U.S. says Iran is behind the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and releases videos as proof. Iran denies the allegations and says it is not ready to wage a war with any country. The situation is getting tense with Trump deciding to increase the troops in the region. Russia and China meanwhile criticise the U.S. So what's brewing in the region. Here's a report

Gravitas: US piles pressure on Iran: Russia, China caution US

U.S. Sanctions Plunged Iran Into Economic Crises U.S. sanctions have hurt Iran's economy hard. Inflation rate is at an all-time high. Iran's oil exports have halved. The economy shrunk by 4%. European Union's efforts to bypass these sanctions have failed spectacularly. Did Iran have any choice other than to retaliate? Has Iran been pushed to the wall by the U.S.? Here's a report

Gravitas: Has Iran been pushed to the wall by the US?

United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida.

"With every ounce of heart and might and sweat and soul, we're going to keep making America great again and then we will indeed keep America great," Trump said during the rally.

There were 20,000 Trump supporters packed into a Florida arena, chanting "USA, USA!" The crowd in Orlando's&nbsp;Amway Center&nbsp;erupted with cheers as Trump entered.

Trump said that the Democratic Party has "become more radical, more dangerous, and more unhinged than at any point in the modern history of our country."

Watch: US President announces re-election bid

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-announces-re-election-bid-228531/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The Democrat agenda of open borders is morally reprehensible. It's the greatest betrayal of the American middle class and, frankly, American life, " he added.

Trump said the Democrats "want to destroy our country as we know it" and that it's "not going to happen."

Two dozen Democrats are competing for their party's nomination to face off against Trump in the November 2020 election.

"Just think what this angry left-wing mob would do if they were in charge of this country. Imagine if we had a Democrat president and a Democrat Congress in 2020. They would shut down your free speech, use the power of the law to punish their opponents," Trump said.

Before the rally US President&nbsp;tweeted to his supporters to join him in Orlando.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Join me LIVE tonight in Orlando, Florida at 8:00 P.M. Eastern as we kickoff <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump2020</a>. Enjoy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1141132100273418240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

US Presidents who seek reelection usually win. Even if dismal early poll numbers show Trump faces difficult reelection, he goes into the fight buoyed by a strong economy and confidence in the fierce loyalty of his right-wing base.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida. "With every ounce of heart and might and sweat and soul, we're going to keep making America great again and then we will indeed keep America great," Trump said during the rally.

United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida. "With every ounce of heart and might and sweat and soul, we're going to keep making America great again and then we will indeed keep America great," Trump said during the rally. There were 20,000 Trump supporters packed into a Florida arena, chanting "USA, USA!" The crowd in Orlando's Amway Center erupted with cheers as Trump entered. Trump said that the Democratic Party has "become more radical, more dangerous, and more unhinged than at any point in the modern history of our country." Watch: US President announces re-election bid "The Democrat agenda of open borders is morally reprehensible. It's the greatest betrayal of the American middle class and, frankly, American life, " he added. Trump said the Democrats "want to destroy our country as we know it" and that it's "not going to happen." Two dozen Democrats are competing for their party's nomination to face off against Trump in the November 2020 election. "Just think what this angry left-wing mob would do if they were in charge of this country. Imagine if we had a Democrat president and a Democrat Congress in 2020. They would shut down your free speech, use the power of the law to punish their opponents," Trump said. Before the rally US President tweeted to his supporters to join him in Orlando. Join me LIVE tonight in Orlando, Florida at 8:00 P.M. Eastern as we kickoff #Trump2020. Enjoy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019 × US Presidents who seek reelection usually win. Even if dismal early poll numbers show Trump faces difficult reelection, he goes into the fight buoyed by a strong economy and confidence in the fierce loyalty of his right-wing base. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump formally kicks off the 2020 re-election campaign, with vow to 'keep America great'

US business representatives who attended the new round of hearing on tariff increase on Monday opposed the additional tariffs, saying that they cannot do without China's supply and cannot afford <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-rekindle-trade-talks-ahead-of-donald-trump-xi-jinping-g20-meeting-228545">another round of tariff rise</a>.

Different from former tariff increases, which mainly targeted intermediate products and industrial products, the new round of tariff is on consumer goods that every American resident has to use, such as cellphones, laptops, clothes, shoes, toys, and gaming devices, with a total worth of US $300 billion.

However, statistics showed that 82 per cent of cellphones and 94 per cent of laptops in US market are manufactured or assembled by Chinese manufactures, and a US $277 billion worth of clothes come from China.

If the levies are imposed, American consumers will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-heightened-us-china-tensions-science-suffers-collateral-damage-228220">suffer a huge blow</a>, and American companies will lose a huge amount of profits, with some perhaps having to lay off employees or even close.

Although the US Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative constantly ask American companies to seek alternatives in other countries, the answer is almost the same.

Watch: US-China trade friction 'hurting world economic chain'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-trade-friction-hurting-world-economic-chain-chinese-scholars-227099/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It's not as simple to change a supply chain as to just send an email and say 'I would rather deal with you' or something. It takes many years to develop a relationship with suppliers. So for us, it's taken several years, almost decades now. It's cost a lot of money for us to visit China or have them visit us. And it's years of trust of doing business with each other," said Brandon Peckman, Sales Manager of Real Trading LLC.

The US publishing industry will probably suffer heavily from the tariff increase, as a US $2.3 billion worth of books on American market are printed and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/had-a-very-good-phone-call-with-xi-will-have-extended-meeting-with-him-at-g-20-in-japan-228438">made in China</a>.

"We don't have an option as to where we can go. Often it's because of the cost. A lot of the daily newspapers have gone out of business here in the States, so the printer capability, which I think you heard some testimony about, has gone down. So it's costs, also technology," said Jamie Fiocco, chairman of American Booksellers Association.

"One of the best examples might be children's book. And a lot of those titles are four-color titles. They're titles that use unique formats or maybe have especially interesting add-ons in terms of sidelines that come with those titles. And the US currently does not have that capacity or the technical skill to produce such titles. The US has a lot of very fine printers, but they tend to concentrate on one-color printing. Right now, it's coming from China," said Dan Cullen, Senior Strategy Officer of American Booksellers Association.

Over 500 American enterprises and industry associations attended the hearing on a further of US $300 billion worth of imported Chinese products at the International Trade Commission in Washington DC on Monday.

US business representatives who attended the new round of hearing on tariff increase on Monday opposed the additional tariffs, saying that they cannot do without China's supply and cannot afford another round of tariff rise.

US business representatives who attended the new round of hearing on tariff increase on Monday opposed the additional tariffs, saying that they cannot do without China's supply and cannot afford another round of tariff rise. Different from former tariff increases, which mainly targeted intermediate products and industrial products, the new round of tariff is on consumer goods that every American resident has to use, such as cellphones, laptops, clothes, shoes, toys, and gaming devices, with a total worth of US $300 billion. However, statistics showed that 82 per cent of cellphones and 94 per cent of laptops in US market are manufactured or assembled by Chinese manufactures, and a US $277 billion worth of clothes come from China. If the levies are imposed, American consumers will suffer a huge blow, and American companies will lose a huge amount of profits, with some perhaps having to lay off employees or even close. Although the US Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative constantly ask American companies to seek alternatives in other countries, the answer is almost the same. Watch: US-China trade friction 'hurting world economic chain' "It's not as simple to change a supply chain as to just send an email and say 'I would rather deal with you' or something. It takes many years to develop a relationship with suppliers. So for us, it's taken several years, almost decades now. It's cost a lot of money for us to visit China or have them visit us. And it's years of trust of doing business with each other," said Brandon Peckman, Sales Manager of Real Trading LLC. The US publishing industry will probably suffer heavily from the tariff increase, as a US $2.3 billion worth of books on American market are printed and made in China. "We don't have an option as to where we can go. Often it's because of the cost. A lot of the daily newspapers have gone out of business here in the States, so the printer capability, which I think you heard some testimony about, has gone down. So it's costs, also technology," said Jamie Fiocco, chairman of American Booksellers Association. "One of the best examples might be children's book. And a lot of those titles are four-color titles. They're titles that use unique formats or maybe have especially interesting add-ons in terms of sidelines that come with those titles. And the US currently does not have that capacity or the technical skill to produce such titles. The US has a lot of very fine printers, but they tend to concentrate on one-color printing. Right now, it's coming from China," said Dan Cullen, Senior Strategy Officer of American Booksellers Association. Over 500 American enterprises and industry associations attended the hearing on a further of US $300 billion worth of imported Chinese products at the International Trade Commission in Washington DC on Monday.

We cannot run business without China's supply, says US publishers amid trade war

Tensions Between The U.S. & Iran Intensify As Peace & Stability In West Asia Comes Under Threat Tensions intensify in West Asia. Iran says that it will breach the limit on its stockpile of nuclear fuel. Iran will enrich more uranium than the allowed limit under the nuclear deal. U.S. blames Iran for the attacks on two oil tankers and vows to send 1000 more soldiers to West Asia. Is West Asia on the brink of a conflict again? Palki explains.

Gravitas: A major crisis in West Asia: Iran threatens to breach nuke deal

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate. Trump said on Tuesday that teams from the two sides would begin preparations for the leaders to sit down at the G20 summit in Osaka. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together.

“Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting,” Trump said in a post on Twitter. The world’s two largest economies are in the middle of a costly trade dispute that has pressured financial markets and damaged the world economy. Talks to reach a broad deal broke down last month after U.S. officials accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides since then has been limited, and Trump has threatened, repeatedly, to slap more tariffs on Chinese products in an escalation that businesses in both countries want to avoid.

In a speech Tuesday night formally launching his 2020 re-election campaign, Trump said he had taken “historic action to confront China’s chronic trading abuses.” “It should have been done a long time ago, but the days of stealing American jobs and American companies, American ideas and wealth – those days are over,” Trump told the packed rally in Orlando, Florida. White House officials declined to go into detail about the preparations or expected outcomes of the talks in Japan, but both sides reiterated long-held positions: U.S. officials called for structural changes in the Chinese economy and in how Beijing treats U.S. businesses; China called for dialogue instead of expensive tariffs.

“The key is to show consideration to each other’s legitimate concerns,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media. “We also hope that the United States treats Chinese companies fairly. I agree that the economic and trade teams of the two countries will maintain communication on how to resolve differences.” Washington has already imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing.

Trump had made no secret that, despite his threat to escalate the dispute, he wanted to meet with Xi while they are both in Japan. China’s confirmation of the meeting avoids the possibility of a snub to Washington that could have triggered another round of tariffs. Trump praised his relationship with Xi and spoke optimistically about getting a deal. “I think we have a chance. I know that China wants to make a deal. They don’t like the tariffs, and a lot of companies are leaving China in order to avoid the tariffs,” he told reporters at the White House.

“I think the meeting might very well go well, and frankly our people are starting to deal as of tomorrow. The teams are starting to deal. So we’ll see. China would like to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, but it has to be a good deal for everybody.” Trump’s tweet offered fresh fuel to a rally on Wall Street as investors bet renewed talks could diffuse the trade war. The S&amp;P 500 gained nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average both gained around 1.4%. All closed at their highest levels since early May when Trump knocked global stock markets by ratcheting up tariff rates on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods.

“This is a very positive development,” said Clete Willems, a former trade negotiator with Trump’s team. “Leader level engagement at last year’s G20 was critical to jumpstarting the talks,” he said, citing last year’s meeting between Xi and Trump at the G20 in Argentina. “It will be essential to managing the current political dynamic and getting the talks back on track once again.” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow declined to give details on how the two countries would prepare for the Xi-Trump meeting and said the United States would continue to press for China to change its practices on intellectual property theft and requirements that U.S. companies share their technology to do business in China.

“Our position will continue to be (that) we want structural changes. We want structural changes on all the items … theft of IP, forced transfers of technology, cyber hacking. Of course trade barriers. We’ve got to have something that’s enforceable,” he told reporters at the White House. The two sides were close to a deal in May that addressed many of those concerns. But China sought to soften the legal requirements in the text of the deal, and the United States balked.

According to Chinese state media, Xi told Trump that the China-U.S. relations had encountered difficulties. “If China and the United States cooperate, both benefit. If they fight, both get hurt,” state media paraphrased Xi as saying. Beijing wants the United States to lift its tariffs, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has spearheaded negotiations, said on Tuesday that talks alone were not enough. “I don’t know if it will get them to stop cheating, tariffs alone. I think you don’t have any other option,” Lighthizer told a congressional hearing. “I know one thing that won’t work and that is talking to them. Because we’ve done that for 20 years.”

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate.

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate. Trump said on Tuesday that teams from the two sides would begin preparations for the leaders to sit down at the G20 summit in Osaka. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together. “Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting,” Trump said in a post on Twitter. The world’s two largest economies are in the middle of a costly trade dispute that has pressured financial markets and damaged the world economy. Talks to reach a broad deal broke down last month after U.S. officials accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides since then has been limited, and Trump has threatened, repeatedly, to slap more tariffs on Chinese products in an escalation that businesses in both countries want to avoid. In a speech Tuesday night formally launching his 2020 re-election campaign, Trump said he had taken “historic action to confront China’s chronic trading abuses.” “It should have been done a long time ago, but the days of stealing American jobs and American companies, American ideas and wealth – those days are over,” Trump told the packed rally in Orlando, Florida. White House officials declined to go into detail about the preparations or expected outcomes of the talks in Japan, but both sides reiterated long-held positions: U.S. officials called for structural changes in the Chinese economy and in how Beijing treats U.S. businesses; China called for dialogue instead of expensive tariffs. “The key is to show consideration to each other’s legitimate concerns,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media. “We also hope that the United States treats Chinese companies fairly. I agree that the economic and trade teams of the two countries will maintain communication on how to resolve differences.” Washington has already imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing. Trump had made no secret that, despite his threat to escalate the dispute, he wanted to meet with Xi while they are both in Japan. China’s confirmation of the meeting avoids the possibility of a snub to Washington that could have triggered another round of tariffs. Trump praised his relationship with Xi and spoke optimistically about getting a deal. “I think we have a chance. I know that China wants to make a deal. They don’t like the tariffs, and a lot of companies are leaving China in order to avoid the tariffs,” he told reporters at the White House. “I think the meeting might very well go well, and frankly our people are starting to deal as of tomorrow. The teams are starting to deal. So we’ll see. China would like to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, but it has to be a good deal for everybody.” Trump’s tweet offered fresh fuel to a rally on Wall Street as investors bet renewed talks could diffuse the trade war. The S&P 500 gained nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average both gained around 1.4%. All closed at their highest levels since early May when Trump knocked global stock markets by ratcheting up tariff rates on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods. “This is a very positive development,” said Clete Willems, a former trade negotiator with Trump’s team. “Leader level engagement at last year’s G20 was critical to jumpstarting the talks,” he said, citing last year’s meeting between Xi and Trump at the G20 in Argentina. “It will be essential to managing the current political dynamic and getting the talks back on track once again.” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow declined to give details on how the two countries would prepare for the Xi-Trump meeting and said the United States would continue to press for China to change its practices on intellectual property theft and requirements that U.S. companies share their technology to do business in China. “Our position will continue to be (that) we want structural changes. We want structural changes on all the items … theft of IP, forced transfers of technology, cyber hacking. Of course trade barriers. We’ve got to have something that’s enforceable,” he told reporters at the White House. The two sides were close to a deal in May that addressed many of those concerns. But China sought to soften the legal requirements in the text of the deal, and the United States balked. According to Chinese state media, Xi told Trump that the China-U.S. relations had encountered difficulties. “If China and the United States cooperate, both benefit. If they fight, both get hurt,” state media paraphrased Xi as saying. Beijing wants the United States to lift its tariffs, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has spearheaded negotiations, said on Tuesday that talks alone were not enough. “I don’t know if it will get them to stop cheating, tariffs alone. I think you don’t have any other option,” Lighthizer told a congressional hearing. “I know one thing that won’t work and that is talking to them. Because we’ve done that for 20 years.”

US, China rekindle trade talks ahead of Donald Trump-Xi Jinping G20 meeting

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